Week of September 24, 2001
Nancy S.

"Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted."
 
"Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5, verses 4 & 9

Dear Friends,
After the tragedy of September 11, I felt shocked, sad, numb and helpless. What could I do to help? I'm unable to give blood or physically assist in the rescue efforts. Financially, what I could give seemed too small compared to the magnitude of need. Then I remembered the words (written by a WWI Veteran) a friend gave me several months ago.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
 
I asked for health that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
 
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
 
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
 
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
 
I got nothing that I asked for but everything that I had hoped for almost despite myself.
My unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed."

As I read these words, I am reminded of the strengths each of us has within us to meet the challenges each of us face daily. We see it in the hundreds of rescue workers, in the millions of donations given to help, in the calls we make to loved ones to assure that they are all right and to tell them of our love, in our words of support to those who express concerns of discrimination, and in so many little gestures of kindness, compassion, and assistance given by each of us to another. Each of us has a gift to give. Through our thoughts, words and deeds, we can make a difference. I hope and pray that we can be peacemakers as we go about our daily lives. In responding to horrific actions of terrorists, I pray that those persons in our government responsible for deciding what actions to take and against whom, will be ever mindful of the preciousness of life and the need for a world at peace and act accordingly.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

Dear Lord,
In this time of great need by so many people, help us to appreciate and use the gifts we have been given by You to be comforters and peacemakers to those near and far; comfort those who are mourning; guide those who are deliberating on how to respond to the violent acts of Sept. 11 down a path toward lasting peace; and guide us--our thoughts, words and action -- as we go about our daily lives sharing our gifts with others. Thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen.